Peking University, May 21, 2026: On May 20, amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China, Peking University President Gong Qihuang and Rector of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) Dmitry Livanov signed a strategic partnership agreement, in the presence of the two heads of state.

The agreement deepens cooperation between the two universities in frontier science and technology disciplines, paving the way for joint undergraduate and graduate programs, joint research projects, shared research platforms, reciprocal hiring of high-level professionals, among other initiatives.

According to a joint communique issued the same day, China and Russia plan to further strengthen cooperation between higher education institutions and research institutions of the two countries.

Besides this agreement, a joint development roadmap for the Sino-Russian Institute of Fundamental Research signed by Peking University and Moscow State University was also announced.

As part of the broader education cooperation agenda, the two heads of state attended an opening ceremony for the China-Russia Years of Education, which is the 10th national theme year of the two countries.


Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin attend the opening ceremony of the China-Russia Years of Education at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, May 20, 2026. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Addressing the event, Xi said that China-Russia educational cooperation has continued to deepen and yielded notable results over the years, enriching the connotation of the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era.

Xi called for deepening cooperation in talent cultivation and jointly tackling challenges in frontier science to facilitate the two countries' innovation drive and development.

Reciprocating the sentiment, Putin said that Russia stands ready to work with China to enhance mutual understanding between the younger generations of the two countries, ensure the cause of Russia-China friendship is passed on from generation to generation, and promote greater development of bilateral relations.

The remarks framed the university-level agreements within broader educational cooperation between the two countries.

Written by: Chen Shizhuo
Edited by: Zhang Jiang